Smith, Daniel

Summit, 2008CD
Instrument: Saxophone


Issue: 15.4

Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
O's Jazz Ruler

Performance: 5
Performance Chart

Sound: 4
Sound Chart

Score:
Score Chart

O’s Notes: When we first met Dan, a world-class classical bassoonist in Europe in 2005, he was just getting into jazz. He was contemplating the best way to excite jazz fans. We talked about his project Bebop Bassoon and soon afterwards the CD was released. It was pretty good and definitely unique. Smith became an obsessed student of jazz since then and has improved his chops measurably. Now fast forward to January 2010 and the release of his debut on Summit Records; it is cooking! Daniel tames the bassoon extracting, dare we say ‘sweet’ tone on “Billie’s Bounce” while maintaining a blistering pace. He trades blows with pianist Martin Bejerano without missing a beat. Ludwig Alfonso (d) and Edward Perez (b) keep the bottom tight and add some impressive solos as well. We liked “Nostalgia in Times Square”, “Equinox” and “Footprints”; all presented in a way you have never heard them before. Special guest Larry Campbell plays guitar on two blues tracks notably “My Baby’s Gone”. Get ready for something different on this disc. The bassoon is an instrument with a unique sound that feels strange at first but finds a home in jazz space with Blue Bassoon. Daniel Smith is a welcomed new voice. I think he’ll be around for a while – a good thing!


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Publicist: Jazz Promo Services